Something to consider...

I was very excited to see the start Dave has made on the spoon, especially seeing it all cut out. Seeing the blank all cut out is one of my favorite parts of the spoon-making process. It feels like a milestone accomplished. It also means that now is time for carving, which is another favorite part. For me, though, this time I still have to wait! It is making me all twitchy to wait to hold the cut blank in my hand and study how the coloration of the wood is showing up on the design.
While I wait, though, I realize there is something I should consider: my work space.
I know it's a mundane topic, but it's something that needs serious consideration. So, today, I thought I would muse a bit about considerations for a work space.

Dave seems to have a proper workshop, complete with appropriate workspace, and all the right tools and equipment. He has been woodworking for much longer than I have. I, on the other hand, have a very limited workshop, with no proper workbench or carving space. I'm workin' on it, though....

Meanwhile, this is my normal workspace, for the most part:
I am usually, however, working on spoons 12" or less. That is quite manageable in an armchair. This spoon, on the other hand, is 17" long, and I suspect it may be less manageable in an armchair. I'll need to decide on a more proper workspace - I'm considering building the work bench I've been meaning to build for over a year. We'll see.

So, first, the workspace has to "fit" the item being carved, keeping both the item AND you safe. You need to be able to move your elbows and other parts of your body freely around the piece, as necessary. You also need room to keep your tools handy.

Why not use the dining room table?
Second consideration: Things can happen with tools - so I don't let them anywhere near furniture I don't care to get nicks and scrapes, etc.. Well, I really like my dining room table. I think it was built by my Great Grandfather, from a walnut tree that was in their yard. So, dining room table is out.

Third consideration: what happens with all the wood chips? Well, they fall on me or the table, and then probably onto the floor. So wherever I choose, I need to be able to sweep up the chips, or leave them (like when I carve outside). I also need to live with the few rogue chips that will remain between cushions in my chair, or in some other corner of the room until I do the super-thorough sweep.

Fourth consideration: The spoon needs a safe place when I'm not working on it. A workbench (in a room where my dogs are not allowed - like my workshop in the basement) would be a good place for that. So... I think I probably should get building soon! I also tend to hang in-progress spoons on a pegboard in the same room as my armchair. Storage just requires that nothing is set on top of the spoon (or pushes it around), and no dogs can get to it.

These are the main considerations I'm making, at any rate.
- Laura

In Memoriam

Many of the woodcarvers who read this blog will have no doubt noticed the Preferred Edge Tool Company advertisement which has run on the sidebar of this blog for the last two years. Owned and operated by master metalcraftsman Mike Komick, Preferred Edge carving knives are the tools of choice for legions of woodcarvers throughout the world and I can think of no finer bent-bladed knives than those made by Mike. Sadly, Mike passed away quite unexpectedly this last weekend.

I am both shocked and deeply saddened by his passing and I know that all in the carving community who knew Mike will feel the same way. A larger than life personality, Mike always had time to discuss tools and carving and was constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve upon the tools we carvers use.

It is a tragic loss for Mike's family that he has left us and I send them my heart-felt condolences. It is also an enormous loss to the carving community who will no longer benefit from his remarkable craftsmanship.
I feel extremely fortunate to have made Mike's acquaintance and will treasure the tools he has made for me over the years.

Cutting complete

I've finished all the scroll sawing on the Left Coast Eisteddfod spoon Mark II and it is shaping up really nicely! The top section looks much more elegant now the excess wood has been removed and it's given me a clearer idea of what Laura and I have to work with (and against). Unfortunately the paper is obscuring the lovely figure of the birch wood, but the nice thing is it will all start revealing itself as we start carving. Sort of like a little burlesque show for wood weirdos!!! Anyway, I'm looking forward to finishing my part of the spoon so that Laura can start work on this top area.

Here's a close up of the eagle and daffodil section that will mostly be Laura's terrain. We have agreed that I will do one of the daffs and Laura will do the top section of the knots so that our hands (and our styles of working) are present in both sections of the spoon. The pressure will be on me to pull off a nice job on my daff since flowers are one of Laura's specialties! So I'll try to do an over-the-top job on my part of the Celtic knotwork and throw a bit of pressure back the other way!
We're getting close to the really fun part of the project when the carving gets exciting and the spoon really takes shape...stay tuned!
-Dave